Stratford Calling

Hello Stratford!

I have a literary week planned for you this week!

Today I speak to Myles McLeod, one half of The Brothers McLeod, about their new book Knight Sir Louis and the Dragon of Dooooom! He also tells me about their plans for more books, events and TV shows!

Then over the next few days, you will be able to hear the shortlisted entries in the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. There are 6 finalists altogether, and you will be able to hear them all, and choose your favourite! And the winner and runner up will be announced later in the month. Come back tomorrow to find out more! I am so excited!!

Do get in touch if there is anything you want to share with me. Email me at [email protected] or message me on socials. Keep updated there too, as well as on the Stratford Calling YouTube channel.

Thanks for listening. Speak again tomorrow!

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

A bumper episode for you today! I speak to Second Thoughts Drama Group, The Music Cafe and Prestige Academy of Performing Arts. 

And thank you to everyone who has submitted an entry into the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. All the entries are with the judges, who will send me their shortlist soon. Due to unforeseen circumstances, you will have to wait a little bit longer than planned to hear them, but keep updated on the podcast and social media, to find out when they will be read out. 

Happy listening everyone!

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

This week I speak to Rachel from Betty and Mabel, a creative whizz with a needle and thread, and Glenis from Avon Flow Art, a painter with some really mesmerising pieces. Podcasts aren't a great way to talk about visual art, so at some point this week, the interviews will also be available to view on the Stratford Calling YouTube channel, so you can see the ladies and their creations too. Bear with me though, as technology hasn't been friendly this last few weeks! I will keep you updated on socials.

There is also still time to enter your poetry, flash fiction or short stories into the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing competition, to be in with a chance of winning £100 and a 3-month coffee subscription to Monsoon Estates Coffee Company. Email me at [email protected] for the rules and an entry form. The deadline is this Thursday (13th) at 5pm. Best of luck to everyone who's entering and thank you to those of you who have already sent in your entries. I am really looking forward to hearing them on the podcast next week.

Hope you are all keeping well and warm this very dismal May!

Happy listening!

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

This month I am launching Creative Stratford - a month of podcasts and videos highlighting and celebrating the wealth of creativity here in Stratford. 

This week I speak to the two judges of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition - Chris Howard from Monsoon Estates Coffee Company and Sophie Clausen, local author and founder of ARC (Arts Rising Collective). These two lovely people have agreed to read the entries to the competition and create their shortlist which will be read on special episodes of the podcast later this month. Then you will have the chance to vote for your favourite!

There is still time to enter too! Check out the Stratford Calling social media pages or email me at [email protected] to find out how. The deadline is Thursday 13th May at 5pm. Good luck!

And here is the link to the survey Sophie mentions, to find out more about what you want from a creative hub in Stratford. It only take 5 minutes to answer and will help so much. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxUDV_a0CZnFceDabyLSYp52Pt0LW7iUpG9ZrbV4kGse-IVA/viewform

Thank you!

Speak again soon.

Emma
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Hello Stratford!
This week I speak to the Reform UK candidate for Stratford South, James Crocker. He is the only Reform UK candidate in Stratford, so find out what his plans are if he were to be elected.

This is the last of my candidate interviews - unfortunately I didn't get a response from the Green Party candidates, so couldn't put your questions to them. I hope these interviews have been helpful though, and whatever your political view point, please do take the time to vote on May 6th.

Next month I am launching Creative Stratford, a series of podcasts and videos (technology permitting!) highlighting and celebrating the creative arts and the people behind them. I am also launching a new competition in partnership with Monsoon Estates Coffee Company. Listen to the end of the episode to find out more!

Thanks for listening everybody. Speak again soon.

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

This week I speak to Samantha Scott, Labour candidate for Stratford North. Find out about her ambitious plans and ideas that she wants to put in place, if she were to be elected.

The other Labour candidates for Stratford South and Stratford West were unavailable for interview. 

Hope you're all enjoying the lovely weather!

Speak again soon.

Happy listening!

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

Here is my interview with the Conservative candidates; Tim Sinclair for Stratford North and Marilyn Bates for Stratford South. The candidate for Stratford West was expecting a baby at the time of the interview, so we wish him all the best for his new arrival.

Thanks for listening everybody. 

Speak again soon

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

After the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, political candidates are pausing their campaigns today. So the interview with the Conservative candidates will be released tomorrow.

So today, I will share an interview with Hannah from the RSC and their new pop up in Bell Court. They are only around this week, so do pop along if you are feeling creative!

Come back tomorrow for the next episode.

Happy listening everyone!

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

I'm back! Sorry about the delay. Needed to rest a bit. But I'm back now and raring to go!

This April, I am focusing on the local elections and my plan is to interview as many of the local candidates as possible. This week I start with the Liberal Democrats and speak to their candidates for Stratford North, Stratford South and Stratford West. Thank you to those listeners who sent in questions. I hope you like their responses!

At the end of the episode I also ask for any locals who want to be part of a new group to help save our town centre. Listen to find out more, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also keep updated on the Stratford Calling social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Thanks for bearing with me everyone. Hope you enjoy.

Happy listening!

Emma
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Hello Stratford!

Young people have been severely effected by the pandemic over the last year, with uncertainty around school and exams, isolation and the increase in mental health issues all a big part of that.

This week I teamed up with Rachel from Lifespace to focus on the young people in Stratford. She helped to bring together a number of people from different organisations who work with children and young people, to answer questions that many families might have about their children at the moment.

We also worked with Stratford Youth Forum to help them design and create a week of support and advice for other young people, relevant not just to those in the area but also around the world.

This is the last week of Stratford For Families, and I hope you have found it interesting and helpful. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved. Yet again I am overwhelmed by the amount of businesses and charities that are here for families and the brilliant services and products they have on offer.

I will be taking a break over the next few weeks to recharge and plan the next episodes. I will keep you posted on socials - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - and you can still keep in touch with me, as I do love to hear from you! Email me at [email protected] or send me a message, if you have anything you want to share on the podcast, whether that be a business, charity or story.

Fingers crossed for good news later. Hope you're all staying safe and well and positive! 

Thanks for listening everyone.

Speak again soon.

Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local